Jones-Vaughan E N Captain 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Jones-Vaughan E N Captain Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Source : The Sphere 28th Nov 1914

Jones-Vaughan E N Captain 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers

JONES-VAUGHAN,  EVAN NANNEY, Capt., 2nd Battn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, yr. S. of Major-Gen. Hugh Thomas Jones-Vaughan, of Llwydyn, Carnarvonshire, C.B., Col.-in-Chief of the Loyal North Lancashire Regt. (who served through the Indian Mutiny), by his wife, Eva, dau. of the late Rev. Evan C. Owen, of Hengwrtucha, Merionethshire, and Aberhirriaeth Hall, T.L., J.P.; b. Llwydyn, 5 Sept. 1885; educ. Wellington and Sandurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 22 Feb. 1905; and promoted Lieut. 4 Dec. 1909, and Capt. 19 April, 1913; left for France, 10 Aug. 1914; and was killed in action not far from the village of Vertouquet, near Armentières, 26 Oct. following, by the explosion of a shell (but reports differ), which also killed two Lieuts., a Sergt. and two men of his battn. Buried 600 metres from the spot where he fell; unm. His commanding officer wrote: “I have lost a most gallant and capable officer and a very dear companion.”

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Vassalli A J Cpl 2nd King Edwards Horse

Vassalli A J Cpl 2nd King Edward’s Horse

VASSALLI, ALFRED JEROME, Corpl., No. 305, 2nd King Edward’s Horse, s. of John Vassalli, of Scarborough, Jet Ornament Manufacturer, by his wife, Hannah, dau. of William Hardy; b. Whitby, co. York, 27 Aug. 1881 ; educ. Scarborough; was an officer in the Merchant Service, and wastraining with the Naval Reserve when the South African War broke out; volunteered, went with the naval guns to the Relief of Ladysmith, and took part in the operations in the Transvaal and Orange Free State and Natal (Queen’s medal with five bars), and was for some time despatch rider for Gen. Bethune, in whose cavalry regt. he afterwards served. He was a Naval Reservist, and on the outbreak of war was called up, but failed to pass the medical examination, and, being anxious to serve his country, joined the 2nd King Edward’s Horse, and was promoted Corpl. His health, however, broke down, and he died in King Edward VII Hospital, Windsor, 1 Oct. 1914, from pneumonia contracted while in camp at Slough. He was a Rural District Councillor at Drigg, Cumberland.

He m. at Scarborough 3 Sept. 1902, Anne Pembroke (Derwent House, Drigg, Holmrook, Cumberland), dau. of Frederick Reynolds, of the Inland Revenue Department, and had three children: Frederick John, b. 10 Nov. 1911; Annie Reynolds, b. 1 Feb. 1904; and Jessie Irene, b. 30 Dec. 1905.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Vanrenen A S Lt Col 5th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Vanrenen A S Lt Col 5th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

VANRENEN, ARTHUR SAUNDERS, Lieut. Col., 5th (Service) Battn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, eldest surviving s. of the late Gen Donald Campbell Vanrenen, Indian Army, by his wife, Julia (9, Lansdowne Place, Cheltenham), dau. of the late J. S. Sullivan, Bengal Medical Service; b. Meerut, India, 14 Dec. 62; educ. Cheltenham; entered the Militia in 1879; was gazetted Lieut. from it, to the Lincolnshire Regt., 12 May, 1883; and promoted Capt. 23 Dec. 1893 ; served with Malay States Guides, 19 Nov. 1897-1908, being acting Commandant from 1905. He retired from the Lincolnshire Regt. on 3 Jan. 1903, but on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914 offered his services, and was gazetted Major, 7th Battn. of that regt., 23 Sept. following, and Lieut.-Col. commanding 5th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 3 March, 1915; went to the Dardanelles, 10 July, 1915, and was killed in action at Kapanya Dagh, 15 Aug. 1915, after the landing at Suvla Bay. He was buried on the hill where the battle took place. He m. at Bruges, Belgium, 28 Oct. 1897, Louisa Frances (Holmhurst, Bideford), dau. of Edwin Empson Isemonger, Colonial Treasurer of the Straits Settlements, and had two children: Esmé Mildred, b. 2 Aug. 1898; and Joyce Marguerite, b. 12 May, 1903.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Vallentin J F Captain VC 1st South Staffordshire Regiment

Vallentin J F Captain VC 1st South Staffordshire Regiment

CAPTAIN JOHN FRANKS VALLENTIN VC

1ST BATTALION SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT

A man whose motto through life was “Thorough”, Captain John Franks Vallentin, of the first Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment won the VC at Villebeke on November 7th 1914, by the heroic deed which cost him his life.

the only son of the late Mr Grimble Vallentin and Mrs Grimble Vallentin of 33, Prince of Wales Mansions S.W.  Captain Vallentin was born on May the 14th 1882. Educated at the great school which has been the Alma Mater of so many of our soldier heroes, Wellington College, he passed into the army through the Militia, with which he was embodied for nearly three years, and joined the Royal Garrison Regiment on July 29th 1903, serving with it until June 7th 1905, when he became Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. He was promoted Lieutenant two years later and gained company on June 12 1909.  From 1901 to 1902 he served with the Militia in the Boer war taking part in the operations in Orange River Colony from April to December 1901, and in the operations in the Transvaal from that time until May 1902. The future VC then greatly distinguished himself, and was awarded the Queen’s Medal, with five clasps.

Captain J. F. Vallentin was the best polo player in his Regiment, captaining his team, and it was due to his energy and efforts that Pietermaritzburg, while his Regiment was stationed there, became a centre for polo in South Africa. He was a specialist in musketry, and, as Lieutenant-Colonel R. M. Ovens, C.M.G., the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, said of him, “a first-rate all-round man at his work.”

The manner in which this gallant Officer met his heroic death is eloquently described by Colonel Ovens, in the following letter :-

“Captain Vallentin’s splendid heroism, unfaltering courage and determination have been justly rewarded with the Victoria Cross, the highest and noblest reward to be won in His Majesty’s Army. To his family and to his Regiment it will ever be a source of intense gratification that this keen and able young Officer should have had his name recorded in England’s famous roll of heroes. We, his brother Officers, who knew him well, know that his heart’s desire was to do his best for his dear old Regiment, and in peace and war alike he worked his hardest and gave of his best for the service he was so devoted to and wrapped up in. His motto was ‘Thorough’ and his abilities were most marked.

He was a warm-hearted, generous-minded young Officer, for whom I felt the greatest regard and affection. He was wounded and in hospital at Ypres on November 6th last, and hearing the Regiment were making an attack that night, he came out of hospital and took command. He was again wounded whilst leading his men forward, but notwithstanding his two wounds he again advanced and was instantaneously killed by five or six shots. But, whilst regretting that he is lost to us in this world, we shall ever love to dwell upon the glorious fighting done by him at Ypres against the Prussian Guards, whereby he has earned immortal fame and added fresh honours to the South Staffordshire Regiment.

I feel certain that our brave and devoted Staffordshire soldiers who are so magnificently keeping up Staffordshire’s great name will feel strengthened and encouraged by Captain Vallentin’s noble example.”

Captain Vallentin’s grandfather, the late Colonel Finnis, 11th Bengal Native Infantry, was the first victim of the Indian Mutiny, being killed at Meerut, May 10th, 1857.

Source : The British Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Vallentin J F Captain VC 1st South Staffordshire Regiment

 

Vallentin J F Captain VC 1st South Staffordshire Regiment

VALLENTIN, JOHN FRANKS, V.C., Capt., 1st Battn. South Staffordshire Regt., only s. of the late Grimble Vallentin, of The Manor House, Walthamstow, by his wife, Lucy (33, Prince of Wales Mansions, S.W.), dau. of Col. John Finnis, 11th Bengal Native Infantry Regt. (killed at Meerut, 10 May, 1857, the first victim of the Mutiny); b. in London, 14 May, 1882; educ. Wellington College; served in the South African War, 1901-2, with the Sussex Militia, taking part in the operations in Orange River Colony, April to Dec. 1901, and in the Transvaal from that time until May, 1902 (Queen’s medal with five clasps); gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the Royal Garrison Regt., 29 July, 1903; trans- ferred to 1st South Staffords, 7 June, 1905, and promoted Lieut. 7 Sept. 1907, and Capt. 12 June, 1909. He went to France, 5 Oct. 1914, and was wounded on 31 Oct. at Ypres, and taken to hospital, where he was detained. On 2 Nov., on hearing Major Loder Symonds had been killed, he insisted on coming out of hospital to take command of what was left of the regt., the Col. having been seriously wounded on 31 Oct. He was killed in action at Zillebeke, 7 Nov. following; unm.

The regt. on this occasion, with the remains of the Queen’s Regt.. captured six machine guns, and recaptured the trenches which had previously been lost by the French. The machine guns captured on this occasion were destroyed and buried. He was awarded the V.C. posthumously “for conspicuous bravery on 7 Nov., at Zillebeke, when leading the attack against the Prussian Guard under a very heavy fire, he was struck down, and on rising to continue the attack, was immediately killed. The capture of the enemy’s trenches which followed was in a good measure due to the confidence which the men had in their captain, arising from his many previous acts of great bravery and ability.” Lieut.-Col. Ovens, C.M. G., commanding 1st South Staffords, wrote: Capt. Vallentin’s splendid heroism and unfaltering courage and determination have been justly rewarded with the Victoria Cross. He was Captain of our Polo Club, and the best player in the regt. He was a specialist in musketry, and a first-rate all-round man. At manœuvres and in the field General Officers have commented on the excellence of his work. The Chief Engineer of the 7th Division told me Capt. Vallentin’s scheme of defence and his trenches were the best he had seen. He was wounded and in hospital at Ypres on 6 Nov, 1914, and hearing the regt. was making an attack that night, he came out of hospital and took command. He was again wounded whilst leading his men forward, and was instantly killed. His is a great loss to his splendid old regt., and is deeply regretted by all who knew him.”

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

 

Vachell R T Captain 1st Northumberland Fusiliers Attd Royal Flying Corps

Vachell R T Captain Northumberland Fusiliers Attd Royal Flying Corps

CAPTAIN R. T. VACHELL Northumberland Fusiliers

Aged 25 September 1st, 1915

ONLY Son of Horace Annesley Vachell (O.H.), Novelist and Dramatist, of Beechwood House, Bartley, Southampton, and of Mrs. Vachell, née Phillips, of San Luis Obispo, California.

Football XI, 1907. Rugby XV, 1906-7.

He had considerable literary gifts, especially for the Short Story and the Drama, and contributed several articles to the St. George’s Gazette. At one time he intended to go on the stage, but, on leaving Harrow, finally made up his mind to adopt the Army as a profession and went to Sandhurst.

Captain Vachell was gazetted to the Northumberland Fusiliers in 1910, and joined the Ist Battalion, at Gharial in the Murree Hills, the same year. Except for a short period in 1912, when he acted as A.D.C. to Lord Sydenham, the then Governor of Bombay, he served continuously with the 1st Battalion till the outbreak of the War. He left for France with his Regiment in August, 1914. He was all through the Retreat from Mons, but was wounded on October 20th, 1914, and invalided home. For his services at that time he was mentioned in Despatches. He was then seconded for service with the Flying Corps as Observation Officer, and took many remarkable photographs of the enemy’s lines. Later he qualified as a Pilot and again went to France in July, 1915. On the 31st of August, as he was returning from a reconnaissance, he broke his propeller on landing; by some mischance the machine caught fire, and he and his Observer fell to earth from a height of about ten feet. They both extricated themselves without difficulty, but Vachell was badly burnt, and died next day from shock.

From the St. George’s Gazette:-

“All who knew Dick Vachell will realize the loss the Regiment has suffered by his death. A sportsman through and through, keen as mustard, and the cheeriest of comrades, he made friends wherever he went. His peculiar power of making friends was never more apparent than among the French and Belgian Officers, with whom he mixed freely, when he was with the Flying Corps in Belgium.”

Source : Harrow Memorials Of The Great War 1914-1918 Vol 2

Vachell R T Captain 1st Northumberland Fusiliers Attd Royal Flying Corps

VACHELL, RICHARD TANFIELD, Capt., 1st Battn. Northumberland Fusiliers and Royal Flying Corps, only s. of Horace Annesley Vachell, of Beechwood, Bartley, Southampton, Author and Dramatist, by his wife, Lydia, dau, of Chauncy Hatch Phillips, of San Luis Obispo, California; b. San Luis aforesaid, 29 June, 1890; educ. Harrow and Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. in the 1st Battn. Northumberland Fusiliers, 13 June, 1910; promoted Lieut. 27 Nov. 1913, and Capt. in July, 1915; joined the 1st Battn. at Gharial in the Murree Hills in 1910, and served with it continuously, except for a short period in 1912, when he acted as A.D.C. to Lord Sydenham, the then Governor of Bombay, until the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914, when he proceeded with it to France. He took part in the retreat from Mons, but was wounded in Oct. and invalided home. Shortly after returning to the Front he joined the Flying Corps as an observer, again returning to England in April to train for his pilot’s certificate, which he obtained in June, 1915. He returned to France at the end of July, and died at Choques, 1 Aug. 1915, of wounds received on 31 July, being buried in the military cemetery there; unm.

Capt. Vachell was a good all-round sportsman. While at Harrow he was a member of the football eleven and fifteen; was an ardent Skihari, and represented the regt. at polo in the Jubbulpore Tournament in 1912. He contributed several articles to the St. George’s Gazette under the nom de plume of “The Sprouter,” notably “With the American Section at the Delhi Durbar,” which exhibited his strong sense of humour. He was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 14 Jan. [London Gazette, 17 Feb.] 1915.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol

Ussher B Captain 1st Leinster Regiment

Ussher B Captain 1st Leinster Regiment

USSHER, BEVERLY, Capt., 1st Battn. Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regt. (Royal Canadians), 2nd s. of the Rev. Richard Ussher, Vicar of Westbury, Brackley; b. Catton Hall, Burton-on-Trent, 4 Aug. 1879; educ. St. Edward’s School, Oxford (1891-98), and Wadham College, Oxford (1898-1900); gazetted 2nd Lieut., Leinster Regt, 23 May, 1900, and promoted Lieut. 9 Aug. 1902, and Capt. 1 April, 1910; was Adjutant, 3 May, 1906, to 2 May, 1909, and officer, Coy. Gentlemen Cadets, and Instructor at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, 21 Sept. 1912, to May, 1915; joined the 2nd Battn. at Barbados in Aug. 1900; served in Jamaica and St. Lucia; in the South African War, 1902; took part in the operations in the Orange River Colony, Feb. to March, and in the Transvaal, March to 31 May, 1902 (Queen’s medal with four clasps), and subsequently in India for two years and then at Devonport and in Ireland.

After the outbreak of the European War he was appointed Staff Officer on the Staff of General Doran; left for the Dardanelles in May as Staff Capt. to the 88th Brigade in the famous 29th Division; was acting Brigade-Major, and was killed there 19 June, 1915. An officer wrote: “On the night of 18-19 June, a battn. of the 42nd Division was attacked and lost two or three trenches. The Turks got in behind our line, and were firing into the backs of the Royal Scots, who were holding the right of the 88th Brigade position. The counter-attack of the 42nd Division hung fire; so about 2 a.m. we decided to make one ourselves. Capt. Ussher was sent to the support trench of the Worcestershire Regt. who were in rear of the Royal Scots. The situation was serious and involved. Communication by telephone with the Royal Scots was interrupted owing to the wire being cut. It was necessary to have clear reports sent back. The Worcestershire Regt. had lost all their regular senior officers, and were, on this night, commanded by a Ceylon Planter. Capt. Ussher was told to see that co-ordinated action was arranged between the Royal Scots and Worcestershire Regt. and to send reports on the situation; but on no account to lead any attempt which was not his work under the circumstances. He took his orderly with him who subsequently told me what occurred. The action to be taken was agreed upon. The Royal Scots charged from their trenches simultaneously with a coy. of the Worcestershire Regt., retook from the Turks the trenches they had seized, followed on and took and held a Turkish trench. There was a close fight with the bayonet which lasted 15 minutes. A German officer was killed. When the Worcestershire Regt. were in the act of jumping out of the trench preparatory to charging, Capt. Ussher was in the trench with Capt. Allen, D.A.A.Q.M.G. 142nd Division (Hampshire Regt.). I understand that he moved, still in the trench, to give room, and as he stood up he was struck in the head by a bullet, and died in a few minutes without becoming conscious. He was brought back to a spot near our Brigade Headquarters, and buried by the Chaplain. The grave is on the open upland from which can be seen the Dardanelles and Asia. A large cross had been made and marked and placed at the head. Wild flowers grow there,” and the Chaplain : The bearing is 310 from South Corner of White House to South Corner of the Cemetery. At St. Edward’s he was in the XI from 1895 to 1898, when he was capt., and in the XV from 1894 to 1897, when he was capt. He was one of the most brilliant of our cricketers. He headed the batting averages in 1897, and won the average ball twice in both cases with fine scores. Twice he scored for the school a century, and his record of cricket at St. Edward’s ends with the perfectly played 120 which he made against it in the Jubilee Match. He was a member of the S.E.S. Society. He also represented Wadham both at cricket and football. He m. at Jullundur, India, 26 March, 1906, Ethel, dau. of the Rev. Henry Martin, Vicar of Stockton-on-Tees, and Canon of Durham, and had three children: John Beverly, b. 6 Nov. 1913; Stephen Beverly, b. 17 Sept. 1915; and Kathleen Mary, b. 28 Feb. 1910. His brother, Capt. S. Ussher, was killed in France (see following notice).

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

 

Ussher S Captain Indian Army

Ussher S Captain Indian Army

Source : The Sphere 9th Jan 1915

Ussher S Captain Indian Army

USSHER, STEPHEN, Capt., 129th Duke of Connaught’s Own Baluchis, 3rd s. of the Rev. Richard Ussher, Vicar of Westbury, Brackley; b. 52, Eaton Place, S.W., 4 Oct. 1882; educ. St. Edward’s School, Oxford, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst (20 Sept. 1901 to 30 July, 1903); gazetted 2nd Lieut., unattd., Indian Army, 27 Aug. 1902; served with the 1st Battn. King’s Shropshire L.I. (with which he went to India), 27 Aug. 1902 to 25 Feb. 1903; The Buffs, 26 Feb. 1902 to 13 Oct. 1903, and the 2nd East Lancashires, 14 Oct. 1903 to 4 July, 1904; was posted to the 129th Baluchis, 5 July, 1904, and promoted Lieut. 5 Dec. following, and Capt. 27 Aug. 1911; was Double Coy. Officer, 7 July, 1904; Off. Adjutant, 11 Nov. 1908, to 27 June, 1909, and Adjutant, 28 June, 1909, to 15 Aug. 1913; 3; was present at the Delhi Coronation Durbar (medal, 24 June, Ju 1911); went to France with the Indian Expeditionary Force, Sept. 1914, and was killed in action at Givenchy, 16 Dec. 1914; unm.

The 129th Baluchis were ordered to make an attack on the German trenches at Givenchy near La Bassée on the early morning of the 16th. Capt, Ussher was in charge of the Machine-Gun Section of the Regt. The attack at first succeeded, but later the Germans brought up two machine-guns quite close, and by this means prevented any reinforcements coming forward to assist the first attacking party which had gained the Germans’ first line of trenches. Capt. Ussher, seeing what damage the German machine-guns were doing, tried to direct the fire from his guns on to theirs, and while looking over the parapet so that he could direct the fire effectively was hit by a bullet in the centre of his forehead. He died at once without recovering consciousness, and was buried the next day at Beuvry, near Bethune. His last words before he was killed were “Keep down, keep down,” to a brother officer who was with him. The 129th Baluchis were the first Indian Regt. to go into action, and one of the men received one of the two first V.C.’s ever granted to the native troops.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Urquhart E F M Captain Black Watch

Urquhart E F M Captain Black Watch

Source : The Sphere 19th Dec 1914

URQUHART, EDWARD FREDERICK MALTBY, Capt., 1st Battn. The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), only s. of the Rev Edward William Urquhart,of 82, Elm Park Gardens, London, S.W., M.A., formerly Vicar of King’s Sutton,co Northampton, by his wife, Caroline Mary, dau. of William Harris, of Plumley, Bovey Tracey, Devonshire; b. Edinburgh, 26 Jan. 1877; educ. West Bournemouth and Cheltenham College; gazetted 2nd Lieut. Royal Highlanders, 20 Feb.1897, and promoted Lieut. 24 May, 1899, and Capt. 17 April, 1902; served in the South African War, 1901-2; took part in the operations in the Transvaal, Dec. 1901, and in those in the Orange River Colony, Dec 1901, to 31 May, 1902(Queen’s medal with four clasps), was assistant superintendent of gymnasia in the Irish command, 9 Nov. 1906 to 19 Feb. 1907, and superintendent of the same,20 Feb. 1907 to 9 Nov. 1910, and later Inspector of Physical Training, Northern Army, India, from March, 1913, to date of his death; went to France, 22 Sept.1914 and was killed in action at Pilken, 23 Oct. following, during the fighting in the Ypres salient; unm. Buried in Boesinghe Churchyard.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Uren G T L/Cpl 8/1149 14th Otago Regiment New Zealand Expeditionary Force

UREN, GEORGE THOMAS, L.-Corpl., No. 8/1149, 14th Otago Regt., New Zealand Expeditionary Force, s. of William Uren, of Clyde, Otago Central, New Zealand, formerly of St. Ives ; b. Clyde, Otago, New Zealand, 2 April, 1887; educ. there; was by trade a Printer; volunteered on the outbreak of war; joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force 28 Aug. 1914, and was killed in action in Gallipoli, 2 May, 1915; unm. He was a well known athlete in Central Otago and was a member of the C.U. Fire Brigade.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Upton R Sergt 2356 Royal Flying Corps

Upton R Sergt 2356 Royal Flying Corps

UPTON, RICHARD, Sergt., No. 2356, The Royal Flying Corps, 3rd surviving s. of the late Capt. Richard Upton, 4th Battn. Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regt.), and of the Political and Secret Department of H.M. India Office, by his wife, Harriet Frances (92, Tooting Bec Road, S.W.), dau. of the late Richard Clayton Strelley, of Oakerthorpe, c. Derby; b. Finchley, 11 Sept. 1881 ; educ. privately, and deciding upon a sea career, passed through the stages of his apprenticeship in a sailing boat, and eventually became a captain and master mariner in the Straits S.S. Service, L.F., being regarded as the commodore of the fleet of 17 boats. While home on leave in July, 1914, he obtained his first-class flying ticket in the Grahame-White School of Flying, and on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914, joined the Legion of Frontiersmen; went to France, where he did good work as a free lance with the Red Cross Society. He then joined the R.F.C., was promoted Sergt., and died in Tidworth Military Hospital, 3 May, 1915, of pneumonia, contracted while on active service; unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1